'Why not, William? are you willing still to be unhappy, and to break your mother's heart, and fill the minds of all your friends with sorrow?' 'I have been far astray, Hettie. I have sunk myself very low, and have struggled hard at times to break the charm that was leading me to ruin; but I feel now as I have not felt before; and if you will only not despise me, if you will let me hope that a new course of life may yet gain your respect, it will be a helper to me--a great helper to me. And oh! Hettie, you cannot tell how much I need your aid.' Hettie was wise perhaps beyond her years. She felt much interest for the youth who had grown with her from childhood. 'I fear, William, that the struggle you will be compelled to encounter will need help greater than a creature can give. You must look to Him who made you, and relying on his strength, resolve to do your duty, cost what it may. All that I can promise is my feeble prayer; and whenever I offer it for myself, I will offer it for you too, William. And now I must leave you, for I have an errand to the store, and mother will be uneasy at my absence.' And the happy girl, smiling a pleasant good-by, went on her way. William watched her until she turned into the public road, and then, with one strong cry to Heaven for help, turned towards his home, a happier person than he had been for many long months. _He had resolved to do right._ CHAPTER V. The difficulties which presented themselves to our boys in fulfilling the engagement they had made with Major Morris were of no trifling account, for it was a great question if so large a quantity could be found in the place, above what was pledged to Mr. Grizzle for debts already incurred. Again, if they should succeed in finding the quantity, how could they pay for them? and lastly, where was a boat to be procured, in which to carry them at a season of the year when storms and high winds were to be expected? But as difficulties are apt to vanish before a resolute mind, Jim felt not at all daunted by them. He had resolved, first of all, to make a thorough trial as to the possibility of finding persons willing to engage specific quantities to him. And it was for this purpose that the boys were assembled early in the morning of a bright and beautiful day in June; Jim and Sam to go on the expedition, and Ned to see them off. 'Well, boys, I hope you'll find all you'll want; but it looks to me like a hard case.' 'So it does to me, Ned, too; but Jim has been thinking it all out, you know. I should feel better, however, if we knew where the _money_ was to come from to pay for them; I do hate so to ask folks to trust us.' 'I have no idea, Sam, of doing any such thing; I mean to offer them the money down as soon as they deliver the potatoes.' 'Just hear _that_ Ned,' said Sam, looking verily confounded.